LG Electronics Boosts Global Installation and Service Capabilities With HVAC Academy Expansion

SEOUL— LG Electronics (LG) is expanding its Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Academy network to strengthen the installation and service capabilities of its global HVAC business. The company has opened new facilities and relocated existing ones within key markets in Asia, Europe, Latin America (LATAM), and the Middle East and Africa (MEA), helping to develop HVAC expertise at the local level and support consistent service delivery across countries as part of its Global South strategy.

In Asia, LG opened a new HVAC Academy in Taichung, Taiwan, in June. The facility includes product exhibition areas, classrooms, and practical training spaces, allowing customers and partners to directly experience a range of LG HVAC solutions and receive related technical training. Recently, LG also reopened its relocated Singapore HVAC Academy with an official ceremony attended by regional representatives. The new facility features a variety of LG HVAC technologies for display and training purposes, including advanced data center cooling solutions such as the LG Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs).

In Europe, LG operates HVAC Academies in multiple countries, including a newly opened HVAC Academy in Poland this year. LG’s European HVAC Academies provide local HVAC professionals with training on the latest LG air conditioning and heating solutions, including hands-on modules on installation, as well as insights into key industry trends.

LG has also been actively expanding its HVAC Academy network across LATAM and MEA this year. LG opened an HVAC Academy at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) in Santiago, Chile. Developed in collaboration with the university, the academy offers comprehensive training for future HVAC professionals and provides ongoing training programs for certified technicians.

In March, the company opened a new academy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The facility features an integrated showroom where visitors can experience LG’s principal B2B and B2C HVAC products, a technical training classroom, an applied learning area for Air Handling Unit (AHU)-based piping and control system training, and a practice space for using engineering tools.

LG operates approximately 70 HVAC Academies in over 40 countries, including Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Africa. Regional hub HVAC Academies are responsible for developing localized training content and training instructors from neighboring countries, while all academies provide essential training for local customers and distributors. Through this differentiated network structure, LG is improving customer access to training while supporting the development of in-market HVAC professionals and bolstering the company’s own technical capabilities.

“Strong installation and service capabilities are essential for delivering reliable HVAC solutions and long-term customer value,” said James Lee, president of the LG ES Company. “We will continue to expand our global network of HVAC Academies to strengthen local technical expertise, support workforce development, and build the service infrastructure needed for the continued growth of the LG HVAC business.”

Buenas PH Invests PHP 3.9M to Bridge Grassroots Sports Funding Gap

Manila, Philippines — Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)-regulated gaming platform Buenas PH has deployed an investment of approximately PHP 3.9 million in grassroots sports funding to support emerging Filipino athletes, as part of the company’s ongoing corporate social responsibility program.

The initiative aims to address the enduring funding deficits in local sports development. While the Philippine government increased its national sports budget for 2026, structural gaps remain in sustainably supporting basic training, travel logistics, meal allowances, and foundational equipment for grassroots talent.

To help bridge this gap, Buenas PH funneled its H1 investment directly into operational essentials, including competition uniforms, safety gear, tournament logistics, and event visibility assets, across various disciplines such as golf, dragon boat racing, mixed martial arts (MMA), and boxing.

“Many grassroots athletes have the talent and determination to compete, but they often lack the resources that make even mere participation possible. Our goal is to help remove some of those barriers. By supporting their practical needs, we allow them to focus on performing at their best, all while proudly representing the Philippines,” said Kim Curayag, Head of Marketing at Buenas PH.

Among the key beneficiaries of this initiative is the Pyros Dragon Boat Team. The community-based paddling crew secured four podium finishes at the Club Crew Dragon Boat Challenge, climbing from a second runner-up finish in Series 1 to consecutive first runner-up finishes in Series 2 across both the Open Men’s and Masters Mixed 10-Seater 250-meter categories.

In combat sports, the funding backed flyweight prospect Eros Baluyot during his recent international campaign at the Road to UFC Season 5 quarterfinals at the Galaxy Arena in Macau. The sponsorship ensured the former national wrestling team member secured the requisite training camp and logistical infrastructure needed to compete on a global stage.

Beyond combat and aquatic disciplines, the platform sustained regional golf ecosystems by supporting the Belle Cup, Liberica Golf, the Br. Armin Luistro Cup and the 2026 Summit Point Golf Invitational. Buenas PH also facilitated wider public engagement by backing Smashpay Fight Night and grassroots sports activations at Philippine Blockchain Week.

Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, Buenas PH is set to maintain this momentum by backing the upcoming boxing tournament, Night of Champions XVII, scheduled for late July, as part of its ongoing commitment to developing local athletic talent from the ground up.

Through these continuous community investments, the platform remains dedicated to its core mission of turning raw local talent into supported champions on both the domestic and global stages — a commitment to nation-building that operates independently of, and in parallel to, its regulated gaming operations.

For more information and updates, you may visit the official Buenas PH and Buenas Cares Facebook pages.

Enchanted Kingdom Marks Enchanting June With Its Pride Month and Father’s Day Celebration

Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, celebrated inclusivity, togetherness, and strong family ties among Filipinos through its back-to-back Pride Month and Father’s Day festivities last June.

Concluding this quarter’s Forever Enchanted Summer campaign on a high note, EK brought to life a series of seasonal activities and pop-up experiences that created even more quality bonding moments for families and communities throughout the month.

The festivities kicked off with Magic of EKquality: A Celebration of Pride Talents, which showcased world-class Filipino talent through performances by exceptional members of the LGBTQIA+ community last June 7, 13, and 14 at the Bandstand.

Among the featured acts were Magic of EKquality Talent Competition 2024 grand winner Alquin Gutierrez, World Supremacy BattleGrounds International 2023 finalist Vivacious, OPM indie-pop singer-songwriter Rhodessa, and Asia’s Trans Dual Diva Sephy Francisco.

The theme park also paid a heartfelt tribute to all devoted dads who bring magic into every home with the return of its Forever Enchanted Father’s Day specials on the third and fourth weekends of June. Beloved EK Storyverse paternal figures, Faerie King and Balasik, offered exclusive treats for fathers, such as body care and relaxation services situated at Eldar’s Theater.

While the fathers enjoyed the pampering sessions, they were serenaded by special performances from rising Viva Records artists Dana Pauline and Jehramae. EK’s very own P-pop girl group was also there to cap off the more than two-month run of its seasonal musical show, SMS Summer Blast, with a high-energy finale.

Meanwhile, the all-male vocal group, Kingsmen, also honored all dads through their weekend show at the Bandstand.

Other exciting Father’s Day activities were rolled out around the Park, including the Fun Kart’s Rev Up Speed Showdown, High Striker’s Dad’s Ultimate Strike, and a car display and test drive experience.

The magic continues this July as EK announces the return of its regular operating hours from 11AM to 8PM every Friday to Sunday until August 30. Starting September 1, the Park will be open Thursdays to Sundays, also from 11AM to 8PM.

Guests can secure passes for their next EK visit as early as today and enjoy a refreshing experience with Sip the Magic! Promo, in collaboration with Coca-Cola. Bundle includes one Regular Day Pass and a free magical drink featuring the newest drinks from Coca-Cola, all for Php 1,400. This offer is available for walk-in purchases and through the EK Online Store until August 9 only.

For more information and updates on this and EK’s other events and offerings, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and TikTok, and @ek_philippines for Instagram.

Smart Eyes Leveled-up Data Roaming Experience With Live Demo of Nokia’s Core SasS Edge Technology

Philippines' leading mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), wireless subsidiary of PLDT Inc (PLDT), has marked a major milestone in improving the outbound data roaming experience of Filipino travelers with its successful completion of a live demo test with technology partner Nokia.

The trial, completed earlier this year at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, routed subscriber data traffic through the nearest point-of-presence in Europe, rather than returning traffic all the way to the Philippines. This process, known as local breakout (LBO), resulted in significantly lower latency, faster browsing and app responsiveness, and an overall smoother data roaming experience for customers. A first for a telco operator in Southeast Asia, the live test utilized Nokia’s Core SaaS Edge for Roaming solution, which enables operators to deliver a local-quality roaming experience while retaining full control of policy, charging and subscriber services from their home network.

“Smart’s continuous investments in exploring innovations such as this local breakout technology is part of our broader commitment to always deliver exceptional services to our customers, wherever they may be—not just in the Philippines, but across the world,” said Menardo G. Jimenez Jr., PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Head of Network at PLDT and Smart, adding that the successful demonstration illustrates the real potential of this technology to enable Smart subscribers to roam as if they are on a local network, while still using their Smart SIMs.

“Solutions like Core SaaS Edge are advancing connectivity by unlocking better roaming experiences for people worldwide. Working with telecommunication service providers like Smart — innovators that are willing to push the boundaries of tomorrow — helps us take important steps to a brighter future,” said Henrique Vale, Vice President, Asia-Pacific region, Core Software at Nokia.

PLDT and Smart’s push to lead in next-generation technologies reflects the PLDT Group’s broader commitment to deliver a levelled-up world-class customer experience to Filipinos here and abroad. These efforts support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and advance the Group’s contribution to the government’s overall digitalization thrust.

Globe Bags Back-to-Back Recognition in TIME's World's Most Sustainable Companies, Remains Only Philippine Telco on Global List

For the second consecutive year, Globe has been recognized in TIME and Statista's World's Most Sustainable Companies 2026, becoming the only Philippine telecommunications company included in the global ranking and one of only two Philippine companies recognized this year, underscoring its commitment to responsible business practices and long-term value creation.

Selected from more than 5,000 of the world's largest and most influential companies, the ranking evaluates organizations across more than 20 key performance indicators in a four-step process covering sustainability criteria: Sustainable Business, Commitment and Ratings, Reporting and Transparency, and Environmental and Social Stewardship. The final list recognizes the top 750 companies worldwide.

Globe's inclusion reflects more than a sustainability milestone. The recognition places Globe alongside many of the world's most respected companies, reinforcing that Philippine businesses can compete globally on sustainability, transparency, and responsible governance. As sustainability stands as a vital benchmark for investors, customers, regulators, and communities, recognitions such as these demonstrate that Philippine businesses can meet the same standards of accountability and long-term thinking expected of leading global organizations.

"Earning a place on this global ranking shows that Philippine companies can meet the highest global standards for sustainability, transparency, and responsible governance," said Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe. "Our sustainability practice continues to strengthen; it has become a measure of how we build trust, create long-term value, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing world."

The recognition comes at a time when sustainability is increasingly viewed as a measure of corporate trust. Beyond environmental performance, the ranking evaluates companies on factors such as governance, transparency, accountability, external ratings, and social impact. These are the same qualities that shape confidence among customers, investors, regulators, employees, and communities. As expectations continue to evolve, trust is no longer built solely through products and services, but through how organizations create value, manage risks, and deliver on their commitments over the long term.

Globe's inclusion in the ranking reflects its commitment to responsible business practices and measurable outcomes. Through its decarbonization strategy, the company achieved a 15.13% year-on-year reduction in gross Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions and a 9.49% reduction in gross Scope 3 emissions, outpacing its annual reduction target of 4.2% for Scope 1 and 2 and 2.5% for Scope 3. Most recently, it has also expanded its use of renewable energy, transitioning approximately 700 sites as of end-May 2026 and targeting at least 3,000 sites by 2028 as part of its broader sustainability agenda.

As businesses navigate growing expectations around environmental, social, and governance performance, Globe continues to integrate sustainability into the way it operates, invests, and serves its stakeholders. The recognition from TIME and Statista reinforces the company's belief that sustainable growth and trusted leadership go hand in hand.